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Cracking the Box PT-109

About the Author

About Todd Michalak (TRM5150)FROM: MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

I am building what I like, when I like and how I like it; having fun doing it. I have been building and finishing models on and off my whole life but the past ten years things really exploded. Just about anything goes when it comes to hitting the bench, but wrecked armor, rusted hulks, ships or ...

Sorry for the late reply Ian!! No problem. Not sure if you noticed the build thread I started LINK
I am not to far into the hull and deck yet but there are one or two this cropping up...the raised section of deck around the topside and just moving onto the caps that cover the rear screws....their number is incorrect and show up on the 'correction-directions' sheet! Hope to see you break into yours soon!!

Hi Todd, just came across your review today. You did a great job picking out everything we've been talking about on the PTBoats.org site. Not sure if you noticed but we've been working with Italeri on an upgrade set which they just announced in their 2013 catalog. Thanks for posting it.

Hi Dave!! Thanks for checking out the review and the kind words!! You and the guys from PTBoats.org did a great job on the design assist for this kit! I started a build blog on this here a little while ago. Slowed up the other night as I misplaced a tiny part (That means I am a dope and lost it) One of the stand-offs for the prop shafts. Going to finish up the scratch of the new part tonight. Great news that Italeri is slated to release an AM kit for this. Any clues as to what is in there?

It was a pleasure for me and my friends to assist Italeri with this project. They were amazing to work with. The upgrade kit is designed to work with either their 109 or 596 model. The idea is to be able to make a later war version of the 109 kit (103 class boat) or backdate the 596 (PT-372 and later). No two of these boats were alike in the field and the crews were constantly making changes to their boats. This kit will help you with those changes. I don't know all the details yet but based on discussions and looking at their art work it appears that they will offer both masts and domes for the SO Radar which allows you to make a later war 103 class or backdate the 596 kit. They are providing Mk. XIII roll off torpedoes and racks as well as Mk. VIII torpedoes (used in the tubes). There's a shield for the aft 20mm Oerlikon if you want to make the boat coming out of the factory (most crews removed these). I'm also seeing a 40mm Bofors and correct life raft that most boats had. They're working out the details still but this promises to be an excellent addition to these kits. They are at Nuremberg Toy Fair right now. Hopefully in a month or two we'll have some more details. By the way I shared your video with them and they were quite pleased. Thanks again for an excellent and fair review.

Thanks Dave for the information and the kind words on the review. Sorry for the delay in response...you know time is a commodity around here and with this storm we just got...yeah, you get the picture! I am looking forward to seeing the AM soon! Nice to have options. As you know I am building her right now. The 109 was actually not my first choice but thought it was fitting with the History and all and I am looking forward to weathering this one!!
Just about ready to add the armor in the bridge area. Also masked off the hull and will be starting some painting tomorrow! Working my way up!
Thanks for sharing the video too...makes me happy they were pleased as well!